Description: Canadian Federal elections confirmed the early polling as Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party won the elections. Most projections and the groundbreaking early voting where more than 7.3 million Canadians casted their early votes predicted that Carney’s win was certain in the midst of mounting threats from US President Donald Trump. Trump repeatedly threatened to annex Canada as the 51st state, in addition to the imposition of tariffs on key industrial goods such as aluminum and steel and the general state of political and diplomatic dissolution of relations between the neighbors. The Vancouver car ramming attack has taken its toll as the late upsurge in favorability by the Conservatives made the future Liberal government coalition severely uncertain. Carney would most probably need to consolidate some of the smaller parties, such as the French Quebecois, to obtain the necessary 172 seats needed for the majority in Parliament. Carney’s victory speech reaffirmed the Liberals’ stance on the US and Trump and denounced any territorial accessions while vowing to propel Canada economically and militarily.
Impact: Carney’s expected victory puts Canada on a considerably unconventional and unorthodox strategic path as the country’s severance of ties with the US continues. Some experts have casted serious doubts regarding his victory, mentioning that he served as Justin Trudeau’s advisor and plunged the cost-of-living crisis into renewed cycle of recession which could cost the Liberals majority seats in Parliament. Carney’s victory was undoubtedly propelled by Trump’s aggressive stance towards Canada but despite coalition concerns ahead, Carney would have a bigger task in repositioning Canada on the global map with expanding the country’s strategic portfolio. Europe has positively reacted to his victory shedding light on possible closer ties especially around trade and defense. The first political endurance test for Carney lies within securing majority in the Parliament where he could face stiff opposition from political parties such as the French Quebecois which have a long-lasting separatist and independence tendencies.